As Jose Maria Olazabal today moved into contention of the Novotel Perrier French Open - which has been hampered by incessant downpours - Ireland's Paddy Gribben also made his move.
The inclement weather meant the Sangliers course was unplayable all morning so the start was put back to noon and with no improvement it was put back again to 3pm.
On commencement, Olazabal shot a one-under par 69 to move within two shots of the halfway leader, France’s Marc Farry on seven-under.Clearly keen to impress the home crowds another Frenchman shares second.Gregory Havret is one shot adrift of Farry alongside Denmark’s Anders Hansen.
Despite moving into contention Olazabal grumbled about his performance on the short grass: "My putting was no good today, I missed from five feet on the last and left everything short, including the one for par on the 13th."
"I made a good putt on the ninth but the only other one was on the 17th from 12 feet at the most. I didn't strike the ball well today and didn't feel comfortable on the course."
The double US Masters champion shared fourth place with seven otherswhich includes five Englishmen. They are the first round overnight leader Daren Lee, Paul Eales, Roger Winchester, Mark Davis and Gary Evans alongside South African Desvonde Botes and Anders Forsbrand of Sweden.
Paddy Gribben is one of a group of 10 players one shot further back on four-under.The Warrenpoint player shot a second successive 68 to shine in a rare opportunity to compete on the main tour.
Three others share the next best placings of the Irish contingent.Ryder Cup hopeful, Paul McGinley, Kilkenny’s Gary Murphy and former Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton all made the cut by one with halfway totals of one-under 139.
It was disappointment for Ronan Rafferty who missed another cut, this time only by one as he finished with a one-over 141 total.David Higgins was a further three shots adrift on 144 and Damien Mooney was unable to seize on his big time appearance. The Challenge Tour player finished on a disappointing five-over 145.
Normally at this stage the field has been reduced with the third rounds completed instead of just two.In attempts to avoid the tournament spilling over to Monday, those who made the cut now face the prospect of completing a tiring 36 holes tomorrow, weather permitting of course.